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This week on Mormon Stories News, we take a closer look at the people, controversies, and events making waves across Mormonism.We begin with the story of a disturbing abuse case involving a former LDS Priest Quorum Specialist accused of sexually abusing his nephew. The case has prompted conversations about trust, access to youth, safeguarding policies, and whether church members are adequately trained to recognize and prevent abuse within families and congregations.We also examine a rare public apology from General Authority Seventy Kyle McKay. McKay recently acknowledged that previous statements he made regarding Church history were offensive and offered a correction. We discuss what was said and why the apology matters.Can AI replace God? That's the question Elder Gerrit W. Gong recently addressed in a viral Church-produced video. We break down his comments, the Church's growing concern over artificial intelligence, and whether AI is becoming a competing source of information, guidance, and authority for members navigating faith questions.Next, we turn to the appointment of Jay Jorgensen to the Utah Supreme Court. Jorgensen's nomination has sparked discussion because of his employment with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his statements regarding whether he would recuse himself from Church-related cases. We examine the concerns surrounding judicial independence, conflicts of interest, and public confidence in the courts.We dive into the growing controversy surrounding Jeff Strong's book Torn. Strong's work has generated significant discussion among Latter-day Saints by examining why many members become disaffected or leave the Church. Recent responses from prominent LDS commentators argue that Strong's research methodology is flawed and that he misrepresents faithful members' experiences.We finish with a brief snippet from Rebecca Bibliotecca about the ongoing temple drama in Fairview Texas. What are your thoughts on this week's stories? Join the conversation in the comments.___________________YouTubeAt Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals. Our overall mission is to: 1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
Ladies and gentlemen and whoever else is listening, welcome back to the show. CONTENT WARNING - The opinions of the host and our guests have not been sanitized or scientifically tested so please consume at your own risk. Forty percent. That's roughly how many once-active Latter-day Saints have quietly slipped out the back of the chapel over the past quarter century according to one of the most comprehensive studies ever conducted on Latter-day Saint disaffiliation, which surveyed more than 20,000 current and former members. It's the kind of statistic that turns Sunday dinners into minefields and makes "how's the family" a loaded question. A few days after his son entered MTC (Missionary Training Center), he'd gotten an unusually timed email from him. Before reading past the first paragraph, he knew that his son was coming home and that the church he'd raised him in was coming home with him. That's the moment that cracked open everything for he and his family. My guest is Jeff Strong, a former LDS (Mormon) bishop, mission president, BYU professor, and a man who spent thousands of hours turning his own family's "tectonic plate shift" into one of the most data-driven looks we have at why faithful Latter-day Saints walk away from the Church, in his book "Torn." He's not here to hand you a five-step plan to bring anyone back into the fold. In fact, the plan itself might be the problem. Jeff makes the case that what's missing in a lot of these conversations isn't more certainty or better answers, it's curiosity. Somewhere along the way we traded asking questions for managing outcomes, and a perfectly manicured lawn of matching blades of grass, he says, was never the goal. The mess is. So stick around, because by the end of this one, you may walk away wanting to make curiosity great again. CONTACT JEFF Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tornbyjeffstrong/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jeff.strong.522678 BOOKS, WEBSITES AND RESOURCES Website - https://www.tornbyjeffstrong.com/ . . #TornBook #JeffStrong #FaithJourney #LeavingTheChurch #LDSFaith #CuriosityOverCertainty #FaithAndFamily #ParrishTheThoughtPodcast #MakeCuriosityGreatAgain #ChurchAndCulture #Mormons #ExMormons
This is a follow-up conversation. Listen to the first episode here. Jeff Strong worked nearly 30 years in the consumer products industry as a senior executive at Procter & Gamble and global president and chief customer officer at Johnson & Johnson. He then taught in the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University and worked as an advisor to the Church before serving as a mission leader in the Arkansas Bentonville Mission. Jeff has since spent several years doing research on why people are leaving the Church. He recently published the book Torn: Why People We Love Are Leaving the Church and What We Can Learn from Them. Jeff lives in Midway, Utah, and stays busy with a little lavender farm, some business consulting, and enjoying family. Links Torn: Why People We Love Are Leaving the Church and What We Can Learn from Them Part 1: What Leaders Can Learn From the People Who Are Leaving the Church | An Interview with Jeff Strong What to Say When Loved Ones Leave the Church | An Interview with Jeff Strong and Joseph Grenny The Data Behind Church Culture | An Interview with Jeff Strong TornByJeffStrong.com Instagram: @tornbyjeffstrong Facebook Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community Highlights In this follow-up episode, Kurt and Jeff discuss the complexities of faith transitions. The conversation focuses on the four stages individuals typically experience when questioning their faith and the cultural imbalances that can affect their sense of belonging. 00:02:18 – Understanding Faith Transitions 00:05:23 – Four Stages of Faith Transition 00:09:01 – Intensive Seeking Phase 00:10:19 – Relational Breaking Stage 00:12:47 – Importance of Conversations in Faith Transitions 00:13:35 – Embracing Different Perspectives 00:18:00 – Role Play: Navigating Faith Questions 00:20:10 – The Need for New Thinking 00:24:29 – Cultural Imbalances in the Church 00:30:34 – Hard and Unyielding Soil 00:39:51 – Shallow Stony Soil: Growth vs. Sanctuary 00:44:08 – Balancing Sanctuary and Transformation Key Insights Four Stages of Faith Transition: Individuals often go through integrity disruption, permission to question, intensive seeking, and relational breaking. Each stage reflects a different aspect of their journey as they navigate doubts and seek understanding. Cultural Imbalances: Jeff identifies four cultural imbalances in the Latter-day Saint community, including hard and unyielding soil versus acceptance, and sanctuary versus transformation. These imbalances can alienate individuals who feel their beliefs or experiences do not align with community expectations. Importance of Acceptance: Acknowledging and validating the experiences of those questioning their faith is crucial. Leaders should create an environment where individuals feel safe to express doubts without fear of judgment or ostracism. Nourishment vs. Protection: The conversation emphasizes the need for a balance between the protective aspects of church culture and the nourishing elements that foster growth and transformation. Leaders should focus on providing spiritual nourishment to help individuals thrive. Role of Conversations: Open and supportive conversations can significantly impact whether individuals choose to stay within the faith community. Leaders should approach discussions with empathy and understanding, recognizing the importance of relational dynamics. Leadership Applications Foster Open Dialogue: Encourage open discussions about faith and doubts within congregations. Create safe spaces where members can share their experiences without fear of being labeled or judged. Balance Protection and Nourishment: Strive to create a culture that values both adherence to standards and the acceptance of diverse beliefs and experiences. This balance can help retain members who may feel marginalized. Supportive Leadership: Leaders should model vulnerability by sharing their own faith journeys and struggles. This approach can help normalize the questioning process and foster a sense of community and belonging among members. The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Why do conversations with Church leaders go wrong so often? Why do conversations with Church leaders go wrong so often? Former mission president Jeff Strong says talking to leaders and parents is one of the least helpful things to do in a faith crisis. It’s 4.5 times worse than talking with siblings. Why do some family members quit speaking to those who leave? Should Church leaders better model Christian disagreement? Can a bottom up movement like this succeed in a top-down organization? Check out our conversation… https://youtu.be/Y9pQpKe9CEk Don't miss our other conversations Jeff: https://gospeltangents.com/people/jeff-strong Copyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Jeff Strong, author of Torn, dives deep into the data surrounding how church members and leaders handle disaffiliation. The conversation shifts from personal narrative to the practical—and often surprising—realities of how we communicate within the faith. Staggering Cost of “Correction” Strong shares a provocative statistic from his research: while 83% of those in a faith transition reach out to someone, the outcome varies wildly depending on who they talk to. Interactions with siblings and friends generally go well, but conversations with devout church leaders are four and a half times more likely to “go badly,” meaning the relationship suffers and the individual feels more inclined to withdraw from the community. Strong attributes this to a default mode of trying to “correct or contain” the person rather than building trust. Agency vs. Stewardship A major theme of this discussion is the “goofy cultural idea” of practicing “enforced agency.” Strong argues that when parents or leaders attempt to manipulate outcomes—such as withholding an inheritance or cutting off family members to maintain a temple recommend—they are actually infringing on the foundational doctrine of agency. He reminds listeners that stewardship does not equal control, citing Joseph Smith's experience with the lost 116 pages as a lesson that God's work is not dependent on our ability to control others. Bottom-Up Revolution Addressing the concern that change in the Church is strictly “top-down,” Strong offers a empowering alternative: bottom-up culture change. While he avoids criticizing the institution or “steadying the ark” by telling Salt Lake what to do, he insists that individuals have the power to shape the culture within their own hearts, marriages, and wards. He notes that even one “Christ-centered” Bishop can completely transform a ward’s atmosphere in a short time. The Path Forward: Love Over Fear Strong concludes by urging members to stop “thinking through the amygdala”. When we act out of fear—the “circle the wagons” behavior—it shuts down spiritual growth. By choosing “perfect love” over fear, families can maintain strong relationships even when religious paths diverge. His ultimate goal is not to “recruit” people back, but to help the Church become a place where different types of people can stay, feel they belong, and remain rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 0:00 Why Conversations with Church Leaders Go Wrong 6:44 Cutting Off Family over Faith? 9:08 Can Bottom Up Influence Top Down? 23:24 Should Church Leaders Model Better? Don't miss our other conversations Jeff: https://gospeltangents.com/people/jeff-strong Copyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved
Author Jeff Strong details the “tectonic plate shifting moment” when his son, while serving in the Missionary Training Center (MTC), suddenly wrote him about leaving the faith: both his mission and the LDS Church. At the time, Strong was serving as a Bishop. He admits that he and his wife initially handled the situation poorly by assuming their son had committed a serious sin. This personal crisis spurred Strong to conduct extensive research into disaffiliation, including qualitative work in 40 cities across 20 countries to understand the real reasons people step away from faith. https://youtu.be/10KAQH-RTck Don't miss our other conversations Jeff: https://gospeltangents.com/people/jeff-strong Copyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Leaving the Faith Strong challenges the “lazy learner” stereotype, revealing that faith transitions are often deeply serious, intentional, and painful processes. Research cited by Strong shows that 49% of individuals experiencing a faith transition spend more hours than they can count over five or more years researching their decision, often likening the experience to the “death of a loved one.” Strong describes his family’s initial communication as “cavemen grunting at each other” because they were “talking under the influence” of intense fear, anger, and anxiety. To help other families avoid these “unwise mistakes,” Strong provides several key insights: Examine Your Motives: Parents often feel anger not because of the child’s choices, but because those choices threaten the parent’s own need for social validation and the “perfect family” image. Avoid “Talking Under the Influence”: High-stakes conversations should not happen when the amygdala is firing; parents must step back to ensure they are motivated by love rather than a desire to control. Understand the Data: While conversations with siblings and friends typically go well, talking to Church leaders is four and a half times more likely to go badly, and talking to devout parents is twice as likely to result in a negative outcome. Strong concludes that by being informed and rejecting false stereotypes, families can move toward “healthy trust-building conversations” and maintain strong relationships even when religious paths diverge. 00:00 Son Left His Mission & Church 4:29 Jeff Helped LDS Church Research Disbelief 5:57 Don’t Assume Sin 9:10 How to Handle Faith Journeys Better Don't miss our other conversations Jeff: https://gospeltangents.com/people/jeff-strong Copyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved
Greg Matsen and Jeff Strong Debate What's Really Driving Members Out Of The Church Cardio Miracle, Learn More! - https://cardiomiracle.com/?ref=t4Hpzrm3 Alive and Intelligent Substack - https://aliveandintelligent.substack.com Alaska Frontier Cruise - https://www.cwicmedia.com/alaska Jeff Strong's Book, "Torn: Why People We Love Are Leaving The Church And What We Can Learn From Them, is a Bestseller on Amazon under "Latter-day Saints." Everyone is talking about it. But not everyone is talking the same. In this episode, Jeff and Greg discuss data, reasons for leaving, church culture, and much, much more. It's a great conversation! Beyond Church History: The Deeper Causes of Disaffiliation They're leaving Christianity, institutions, and trust itself Agency, Doctrine, and Hope Jeff Strong shares hard-earned lessons from his own family's journey Jeff Strong discusses the pain and what families are getting wrong What happens when someone you love walks away from the Church? Are We Teaching the Church More Than the Gospel? Jeff Strong explains what his research taught him about staying rooted in Christ. Jeff's Book - Torn - https://amzn.to/4g1LiGk Cwic Media Website: http://www.cwicmedia.com
The Mormon Church keeps telling us it is growing. And not only is it growing, they say it is growing faster than it has ever grown in history! And yet faithful Mormon researcher Jeff Strong says the LDS Church has lost 40 % of its active membership in the last twenty-five years. How will the… Read More »LDS Church Membership Tanks!
The Mormon Church keeps telling us it is growing. And not only is it growing, they say it is growing faster than it has ever grown in history! And yet faithful Mormon researcher Jeff Strong says the LDS Church has lost 40 % of its active membership in the last twenty-five years. How will the… Read More »LDS Church Membership Tanks! The post LDS Church Membership Tanks! appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.
The Mormon Church keeps telling us it is growing. And not only is it growing, they say it is growing faster than it has ever grown in history! And yet faithful Mormon researcher Jeff Strong says the LDS Church has lost 40 % of its active membership in the last twenty-five years. How will the Church react now that its generation-long deception is being revealed? And what will the Mormon influences do who have repeated and championed the lies told them by the Church they seek to defend? Time will tell. In the meanwhile, Bill and RFM are going to take a victory lap on this issue, because they have been calling out the Church on this deception for as long as they have been podcasting. Finally RFM and Bill Reel are vindicated!!! Quinton Cook & Marin Hospital – https://wasmormon.org/quentin-l-cooks-privatization-of-marin-hospital/ Please consider donating to support our work – https://donorbox.org/mormonism-live
In this episode, David sits down with author and researcher Jeff Strong to talk about the data on why some people leave the Latter-day Saint faith. Jeff points out four cultural tensions that can sometimes be out of balance, but that we can improve! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keystoneldsInsta: https://www.instagram.com/keystonelds/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keystoneldsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/keystonelds/Website: https://www.keystonelds.com
Why are people really leaving the LDS Church? In Part 2 of our deep dive into LDS disaffiliation, we continue our conversation with Jeff Strong, author of the groundbreaking book “Torn: Why People We Love Are Leaving the Church and What We Can Learn from Them.” This episode moves beyond the statistics to explore the complex, personal “waves” of modern faith loss. https://youtu.be/AkKkxe5sOP8 Don't miss our other conversations Jeff: https://gospeltangents.com/people/jeff-strong Copyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Key topics covered in this episode include: * The Church History Bombshell: Jeff reveals that 42% of his survey respondents cited church history as their primary reason for leaving, a finding that contrasts with earlier research focusing more on lifestyle factors. * Massive Scale & Methodology: Learn how the study captured the voices of 15,000 participants who cared so deeply about these issues that they spent an average of 90 minutes completing a 71-question survey. *AI and “10,000 Pages of Heartache”: To understand the nuance of the “verbatim” stories provided by respondents, Jeff's team utilized artificial intelligence to query over 10,000 pages of personal responses. *Is 40% Too Low? Jeff explains why he landed on a conservative 40% figure, despite other data sets like the General Social Survey (GSS) suggesting disaffiliation could be closer to 50%. The “Four Waves” of Disaffiliation: A look at how the reasons for leaving have shifted over time and why traditional “internet Mormon” stereotypes may not tell the whole story. Whether you are a leader, a family member, or someone navigating your own faith journey, this episode offers a data-driven yet deeply empathetic look at how hot the “fire” of disaffiliation is burning today. Watch Part 1 to see the initial breakdown of the 40% disaffiliation statistic and the “leaky bucket” math of church growth. Chapters 0:00 Looking at other Surveys 2:56 Leaving Over Church History 10:18 How were Participants Selected? Don't miss our other conversations Jeff: https://gospeltangents.com/people/jeff-strongCopyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved
What do you think about Joseph Smith, The Book of Mormon, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Steven Pynakker joins Nate Williams to share his thoughts on these issues and how Christians should conduct themselves when evangelizing to LDS.Steven's interview with Jeff Strong: https://youtu.be/A5lNKYgSaws?si=G1D5T_RNMbwQ7xkDSteven's interview with Ryan Cragun: https://youtu.be/SoNZjIGem08?si=N4GT4HJVF-dLQOR5ARC's website: https://arcanswers.org/
Is the LDS Church actually shrinking? We’re talking about LDS disaffiliation with Jeff Strong, author of the new book Torn: Why People We Love Are Leaving the Church and What We Can Learn from Them. While official membership records show steady growth, the reality of active participation tells a much more complex story. In this episode, I’ll sit down with Jeff to break down the startling data behind modern disaffiliation. https://youtu.be/O5VWoDOPamw Don't miss our other conversations Jeff: https://gospeltangents.com/people/jeff-strong Copyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Key highlights from this conversation include: The 40% Figure: Jeff discusses why multiple national studies—including Pew Research (46%) and the Harvard Cooperative Election Study—consistently peg LDS disaffiliation in the 40% to mid-40% range over the last 25 years. LDS Disaffiliation The “Leaky Bucket” Phenomenon: Despite a 60% increase in members of record since the year 2000, the number of actual wards has only grown by about 11%. Jeff explains the math of how converts and children are “entering the bucket” while current members are “leaking out” at an unprecedented rate. “Not Since Kirtland” Drawing on a famous quote from former church historian Marlon Jensen, Jeff explores why the current wave of departures is being compared to the historic crisis in 1830s Ohio Corporate-Level Research: Jeff brings his background as a global executive for Johnson & Johnson and Proctor & Gamble to the table, using a team of PhDs and former church researchers to ensure his findings are as accurate and defensible as possible. Modest Real Growth vs. Decline: While some claim the church is in an absolute free-fall, Jeff's data suggests modest real growth over the long term, though some analysts believe the church in the U.S. may have hit a point of slight decline for the first time very recently. This episode is a must-watch for anyone trying to understand the statistical reality of the modern LDS experience and why the “sky isn’t falling,” but the fire is certainly “hot enough to burn down our houses.” Chapters 0:00 Meet Jeff Strong 2:42 LDS Research Team 6:26 Do 40% of Active Mormons Leave? 20:26 Stratified but Not Representative Survey Don't miss our other conversations Jeff: https://gospeltangents.com/people/jeff-strong Copyright © 2026 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved
In this episode, John and Meggan examine several major stories shaping the current state of Mormonism, including new research on LDS disaffiliation and decline, increasing institutional strain on local leadership, financial fraud tied to prominent Utah business figures, and the continuing controversy surrounding the Fairview Texas temple.•Drawing from research and analysis by Jeff Strong and team of researchers, we discuss what current membership and retention trends may reveal about blind spots devout Latter-day Saints have, the primary reasons for disaffiliation, how LDS trends compare with other denominations, gender differences in the decline, institutional trust, and why many members appear to be quietly disengaging from traditional LDS expectations.•We also examine a recent Salt Lake Tribune report detailing how some Utah County prosecutors notify the church's law firm when LDS bishops submit letters on behalf of criminal defendants, raising questions about ecclesiastical influence, legal systems, and institutional boundaries.Additional topics include:•A Church News livestream acknowledging how overwhelmed many LDS bishops have become while supporting young men•The Noah's Event Centers fraud convictions involving active Latter-day Saints and ongoing questions surrounding discernment• The final public plea from the mayor of Fairview, Texas asking the church to reconsider the height of the proposed temple steeple in an effort to preserve community trust.•The church battling insurers over sex abuse settlement coverage before the 10th Circuit Court•And Charlie Bird and Ryan Clifford announced via social media this week that they have already begun the process to add a child to their family.Together, these stories paint a larger picture of a church navigating growth, decline, public scrutiny, generational change, and increasing tension between institutional authority and individual experience.___________________Show NotesYouTubeAt Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals. Our overall mission is to: 1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
Are you or someone you love navigating a faith crisis? You are not alone. Jeff Strong says 40% are leaving the Church. 40% are Leaving? https://youtu.be/k7olHf9sSq0 A historic shift is transforming the religious landscape. According to Jeff Strong’s new book Torn, nearly 40% of members are stepping away from their faith communities. But why is this happening, and how can we better understand and support those we love who leave? In this video, we unpack the insights from four groundbreaking books: Torn, Goodbye Religion, Bridges, and The Next Mormons. We are tackling the tough questions and busting the harmful myths that say people leave because they are “lazy learners,” easily offended, or simply want to sin. The reality is far more complex. For many, a faith transition is an agonizing, lonely, and deeply principled journey triggered by a desire for moral integrity rather than a loss of morals. We will compare the data across these four sources to explore the profound emotional toll of a faith crisis, while offering actionable, research-backed advice for current members. Discover how shifting our focus from “fixing” doubts to listening, empathizing, and providing unconditional love can help build bridges and keep our families together. Listen now to learn how we can transform judgment into compassion and better minister to those we love! Don’t miss our other conversations on faith crisis.
"I just believe that God is found in the messiness. We just need to have faith that even when it makes no sense and nothing seems to be working, that it's in that very messiness that He will find us. That's how it's supposed to be. It's not supposed to be clean and linear. It's meandering and messy and crazy, and then He reaches through the fog of that, and He finds us."00:00 Conformity and Agency14:59 Family Faith Crisis Begins30:35 Why People Step Away48:00 Let Them Choose51:37 Agency Changes Everything01:03:20 Repairing Ruptures01:10:06 Gatherers Not SiftersServe Clothing code COMEBACK for 15% offhttps://serveclothing.com/If you have a story to share please submit here: https://comebackpodcast.org/submissions/For inquiries contact info.comebackpodcast@gmail.comCome Back Team:Director, Founder, & Host: Ashly StoneEditor: Cara ReedOutreach Manager: Jenna CarlsonAssistant Editor: Britt SmallzeArt Director: Jeremy GarciaProduction Director: Trent Wardwell
Navigating a “Faith/Trust Crisis”: Empathy, Communication, and Finding Your Pace We dive deep into the complexities of faith journeys, exploring how to better communicate with loved ones and how to navigate church activity on your own terms. What advice do you have in a faith/trust crisis conversation? https://youtu.be/uY_5UONNykI Reframing the “Faith Crisis” Drawing from Jeff Strong's new book, Torn, I think we should reframe the common “faith crisis” as a “trust crisis.” Why do members leave the Church? While Jana Riess’s statistically reliable research indicates that most people leave simply because they lose interest or marry a non-member, Strong’s study suggests that church history is actually the primary driver for those who intentionally disaffect. Regardless of the reasons, this wave of disaffiliation—which Elder Marlin K. Jensen once likened to the highest period of apostasy since Kirtland—requires navigating complex mixed-faith dynamics. Strategies for Conflict Resolution To help families and couples navigate a trust crisis, here are some powerful conflict resolution techniques designed to foster empathy and minimize defensiveness: Share emotions over intellect: Fostering true empathy requires sharing specific emotions and physical sensations (e.g., “I feel pressure in my chest”) rather than over-intellectualizing, which often leads to disconnection. True empathy does not require agreement: You can fully understand how someone arrived at their feelings based on their unique background without agreeing with their position. Use “and” instead of “but”: Using the word “but” can be invalidating to the other person, whereas “and” leaves room for both perspectives. The “One Partner, One Complaint, One Day” Rule: To prevent blame-shifting, only one person gets to bring up an issue per day. The talking partner must use non-critical language, and the listening partner is only allowed to use phrases like, “I hear you. I understand. And I’m listening.” Take an immediate timeout: After the complaint is made, the listening partner should take a timeout (up to 24 hours) to calm their nervous system and avoid a defensive trauma response. The Empathy Flip: When formulating a response, write it down and ask: Is it kind? Is it loving? Is it respectful? Imagine how you would feel receiving that exact response, and revise it if it sounds triggering. Ultimately, the goal is to consistently fight to understand your partner rather than fighting to be understood. Even if a loved one ultimately chooses to step away from the Church, it is important to trust the Atonement and recognize that they will remember your ability to keep loving them. Returning to Church on Your Own Terms A question from a 49-year-old listener with autism, “I Love Christ,” said he wants to return to Church but finds the two-hour block completely draining. What advice would you give? I offered advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed by church activity: Take breaks and ease into it: If church is stressing you out, it’s perfectly fine to step out or make your own personal study out of the time. Do what you enjoy: Bring a book to read during class, or hang out in the hallway to socialize about something else if that makes the experience more enjoyable. Don’t take everything literally: When faced with difficult scriptural or historical narratives, remember that not everything needs to be viewed through a strictly literal lens. Give and expect grace: It can be frustrating to sit through lessons that feel overly simplistic or lack nuance, but it is vital to offer grace to those at different levels of spiritual maturity, and to help teach them to give you grace in return. Is faith crisis still a problem? What advice do you have?
Today, we're really excited to share a special episode with Jeff Strong on his new book, Torn: Why People We Love Are Leaving the Church and What We Can Learn From Them.Research suggests that roughly 40% of formerly active, faithful members have stepped away from the Church in the last twenty-five years—and the pace is accelerating. Jeff Strong is asking why. Drawing on hundreds of interviews, he's found that, again and again, disaffiliation is rooted in unmet spiritual needs, strained trust, and experiences of exclusion or spiritual starvation. Jeff's book is unflinchingly honest—and genuinely hopeful, because if culture is part of the problem, there's also something all of us can do to help.In this conversation, Jeff really challenges the assumption that people leave casually. His data shows that, on average, most people wrestle for nearly a decade before stepping away. These are sincere, often private, and deeply painful journeys that deserve to be understood with care.Jeff says that what we need are not more gatekeepers, but more gardeners. He suggests our role isn't to monitor who's in or out—or how “in” or “out” anyone is—but to tend the kind of soil where faith can grow: in our homes, our wards, and our relationships.He helps us recognize when that soil has become compacted or depleted of spiritual nutrients, and offers practical, grounded ways for everyday members and leaders to cultivate something more nourishing—a more Christ-centered culture where more people can grow and flourish.We are so excited for you to read this book and hear the conversation. You can buy the book on Bookshop.org, Amazon, or wherever you buy books. You can read the introduction and first two chapters, check out the appendix, and learn more about the research on Jeff's website, tornbyjeffstrong.com.A subscription to Wayfare makes an incredible Mother's Day gift! Get a look inside Wayfare Issue 7 here, and subscribe for 20% off here to receive Issue 7 now and Issue 8 in the fall.
My friend Jeff Strong (married father of five, grandfather, former mission president, retired senior executive consumer goods) join us to talk about his new book. Jeff introduces his book with the story of his son Cale leaving the MTC and then leaving the Church—and Jeff's desire to better understand. Jeff's book (with a forward from Steve Young) focuses on: Conducting the largest LDS focused study on disaffiliation (20,000 respondents + interviews) About 40% of those that were active in 2000 have left the church 25 years later The “four patterns” that emerge from the data—super insightful Importance of culture—needs to nourish and create belonging—and how we can do better “It isn't about lower standards; it's about more love” Framing of the tension—four areas Powerful story of reconciliation with his son Cale Jeff's book is so needed in our community—bringing the data forward and then framing it a way that gives us tools and insights to do better. I encourage everyone to read and share this book—and consider what we can do better to create the culture/belonging that Jeff's talks about in his book. Thank you Jeff for writing this book and being on the podcast. You are making a huge difference for good in our community. Links: Jeff's website: www.tornbyjeffstrong.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588509745251 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tornbyjeffstrong/ Steve Young's Root talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpMJkBbTqB0
Jeff Strong worked nearly 30 years in the consumer products industry as a senior executive at Procter & Gamble and global president and chief customer officer at Johnson & Johnson. He then taught in the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University and worked as an advisor to the Church before serving as a mission leader in the Arkansas Bentonville Mission. Jeff has since spent several years doing research on why people are leaving the Church. He recently published the book Torn: Why People We Love Are Leaving the Church and What We Can Learn from Them. Jeff lives in Midway, Utah, and stays busy with a little lavender farm, some business consulting, and enjoying family. Links Torn: Why People We Love Are Leaving the Church and What We Can Learn from Them What to Say When Loved Ones Leave the Church | An Interview with Jeff Strong and Joseph Grenny The Data Behind Church Culture | An Interview with Jeff Strong TornByJeffStrong.com Instagram: @tornbyjeffstrong Facebook Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community Highlights 00:02:42 – Competing Narratives in Church Growth and Disaffiliation 00:04:22 – Personal Connection to Disaffiliation 00:06:36 – The Journey to Understanding Disaffiliation 00:09:05 – The Role of Data and Personal Experience 00:10:54 – The Complexity of Disaffiliation 00:12:11 – The Challenge of Measuring Disaffiliation 00:15:09 – Research Methodology and Findings 00:17:29 – Understanding the Audience for “Torn” 00:19:30 – The Importance of Accurate Understanding 00:20:36 – Celebrating Strengths While Facing Challenges 00:22:03 – The Impact of Local vs. Global Growth 00:25:41 – The Role of Missionary Work 00:27:06 – The Need for a Balanced Perspective 00:29:26 – The Misconception of Resurgence Among Young People 00:31:03 – The Data on Disaffiliation 00:35:02 – The Four Waves of Disaffiliation 00:40:53 – Wave One: Lifestyle and Depletion 00:43:17 – Personal Anecdote on Depletion and Church Experience 00:44:19 – Wave Two: Doubt and Disbelief 00:46:05 – Wave Three: Cultural and Social Factors 00:48:12 – Wave Four: Institutional Issues 00:50:00 – The Importance of Understanding and Addressing Disaffiliation Key Insights Competing Narratives: The church is experiencing growth in certain areas, such as baptisms and missionary work, but disaffiliation remains a significant concern, with many individuals quietly stepping away from their faith. Personal Connection: Jeff shares his personal journey of grappling with his son’s disaffiliation, highlighting the emotional impact and the need for a deeper understanding of why individuals leave the church. Research Findings: Jeff’s research indicates that approximately 40% of active members have disaffiliated since 2000, with various reasons categorized into “waves,” including lifestyle challenges and deeper faith crises. Cultural Dynamics: The discussion emphasizes the importance of recognizing the cultural pressures within the church that may lead to feelings of depletion rather than spiritual fulfillment for some members. Engagement vs. Disaffiliation: While many active members report strong engagement and purpose, a significant portion of young adults are less affiliated with organized religion, indicating a complex relationship with faith. Leadership Applications Fostering Understanding: Leaders can benefit from understanding the reasons behind disaffiliation to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for those struggling with their faith. Encouraging Open Dialogue: By promoting open conversations about faith challenges, leaders can help bridge the gap between those who feel fulfilled in their faith and those who are struggling. Addressing Cultural Pressures: Leaders should be aware of the cultural dynamics that may lead to feelings of depletion among members and work to create a more nurturing and understanding community that supports individual spiritual journeys. The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Jeff Strong worked nearly 30 years in the consumer products industry as a senior executive at Procter & Gamble and global president and chief customer officer at Johnson & Johnson. He then taught in the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University and worked as an advisor to the Church before serving as a mission leader in the Arkansas Bentonville Mission. Jeff has since spent several years doing research on why people are leaving the Church. While not a professional researcher, his career involved a large amount of research and the research he shares in this podcast was done with the help of some of the top Latter-day Saint researchers in the world. Today, Jeff lives in Midway, Utah, and stays busy with a little lavender farm, some business consulting, and enjoying family. Joseph Grenny is a lifelong student of social science whose writings are references in major universities around the world. He is a New York Times bestselling author of eight books, including leadership, influence and communication classics Crucial Conversations, Influencer, Crucial Accountability, and Change Anything. His books are available in over 30 languages and have sold over six million copies. Joseph is a co-founder and current board chair of Unitus Labs, an international nonprofit that has helped over 15 million of the world's poorest to move toward self reliance. In 2015 he and his colleagues started The Other Side Academy, a 2.5-year school for those with long histories of crime, addiction and homelessness. The Other Side Academy is free, requiring only a desire to change for admission. In April 2021, Joseph and the leaders of The Other Side Academy announced their intention to build The Other Side Village, a 400-home community for those who are chronically homeless based on principles of self-reliance and peer accountability. Joseph is married to the former Celia Marie Waldron. They have six children and eight grandchildren and live in Salt Lake City. Links Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community The Data Behind Church Culture | An Interview with Jeff Strong Joining Moroni's War on Addiction | An Interview with Joseph Grenny Creating Change | Interview with Joseph Grenny Messy Conversations: When Loved Ones Leave the Faith, by Joseph Grenny Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community Highlights Social science expert Joseph Grenny and researcher Jeff Strong discuss the high-stakes nature of “faith transitions” within the Church . The conversation centers on how leaders and family members can navigate these emotionally charged discussions to preserve and strengthen relationships. 00:04:45 – The Importance of High-Stakes Conversations 00:06:17 – The Challenge of Faith Transitions 00:08:31 – The Need for Open Dialogue 00:09:50 – The Emotional Weight of Conversations 00:11:13 – The Impact of Poor Responses 00:12:21 – Preparing for Difficult Conversations 00:13:35 – Research Insights on Conversations 00:15:48 – Identifying Positive Deviants 00:16:29 – Learning from Successful Conversations 00:18:06 – The Role of Fear in Conversations 00:20:06 – Talking Under the Influence of Stress 00:22:40 – The Importance of Taking a Breather 00:25:23 – Three Key Steps for Effective Conversations 00:27:00 – Feeling Your Feelings 00:29:40 – Fixing Your Story 00:31:40 – Finding Your Motive 00:33:13 – The Transformative Power of Relationships 00:35:11 – Embracing the Messiness of Life 00:38:11 – The Role of God in Our Growth 00:40:45 – The Journey of Self-Discovery Key Insights The “Devoutness Paradox”: Research involving 15,000 participants found that the more devout a person is, the less likely a conversation about faith transition is to go well. If the recipient is a church leader, the odds of a negative outcome are 4.5 times higher than average. High Intensity of Need: Approximately 83% of individuals going through a faith transition reach out to others, typically contacting four to five people, indicating a deep desire for connection and resolution during the process. The Trap of “Problem-Solving”: Many leaders and parents react out of fear and an immediate impulse to “fix” the individual or bring them back to the church. This motive often leads to the other person feeling judged, berated, or suspected. The “Positive Deviant” Model: Some leaders and family members manage to maintain their own religious commitment while creating a safe, robust space for dialogue. These “positive deviants” prioritize the relationship over immediate theological conformity. Long-Lasting Consequences: The first few seconds of a conversation are pivotal; words spoken in moments of shock or vulnerability can endure for years and dictate the future trajectory of the relationship. Leadership Applications Shifting Motives: Leaders must move from a mindset of “correcting” to one of “listening and processing”. Recognizing that fear often drives the impulse to solve a problem can help leaders stay present and supportive rather than confrontational. Validating the Struggle: Leaders should normalize the reality that faith transitions are common and often a healthy part of a person’s individual journey . By acknowledging the difficulty without judgment, they empower the individual to feel heard rather than controlled. The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Today we're asking: what do you do when someone you love tells you they're leaving the Church? What do you say? How do you stay grounded and connected when the stakes feel high or you're caught off guard?We sat down with two longtime friends of the podcast—authors and researchers Joseph Grenny and Jeff Strong—to explore these high-stakes moments when someone is ready to talk about their shifting faith.Drawing on research from over 500 real-life conversations about faith transitions, Joseph and Jeff uncover something both surprising and sobering: statistically, it's devout parents and church leaders who are most likely to miss the mark in these conversations.They suggest this isn't about a lack of love or sincerity—but consequences of a very natural response to fear. Jeff and Joseph call it a TUI—talking under the influence. When the amygdala takes over, stress floods the system, and the thinking brain goes offline. What looks like a communication problem is actually a chemical one, and even the most well-intentioned among us can say things that damage relationships for years.But it doesn't have to be that way. Today, Joseph and Jeff show us how to recognize when we're under the influence, how to pause before we cause harm, and how to come back grounded and clear—so that we can choose connection over control, curiosity over fear.With General Conference this weekend and Easter just days away—seasons that bring families together and open the door naturally, to these conversations—we hope this episode reminds you that you're not alone, and that these hard moments, can become the fertile ground for relationships that are deeper, more honest, and more connected than they were before.You can also read and share an essay called "Messy Conversations: When Loved Ones Leave the Faith" by Joseph Grenny at faithmatters.org. Come to Raising Little Saints: A Faith Matters Family Night! RSVP here.
We've all heard it called a sifting—the language that sometimes surfaces when someone is struggling or steps away from the Church. Wheat from tares, sheep from goats, a sorting in the last days that reveals truly elect.But today, our good friend and contributor Jeff Strong is back to invite us into a deeper reflection on that idea—and what he sees as the more essential question: Who is the Church for?Jeff shares how the way we answer that question has real implications—shaping how we respond to difference, and how we create (or close off) spaces for spiritual growth, belonging, and trust.In this conversation, he also brings new and fascinating findings from his large-scale survey of Latter-day Saints. Jeff introduces a framework of spiritual segments that emerged from the data—types like Seekers, Protectors, Cultivators, and more. It's illuminating to see yourself in one of these groups—but maybe even more powerful to recognize how others might experience the same Church culture in radically different ways.He reflects on the tension people feel when their deepest values don't seem to match what's emphasized in their church experience. And he offers a way through that tension: wherever you fit, we each face the challenge to let go of fear—because fear, more than anything else, is what drives us apart.Ultimately, this conversation isn't about disaffiliation or activity—it's about relationships. It's about how we respond to differences, how we hold tension as a community, and whether we're building a church culture that reflects the expansive, welcoming love of Christ. And just a heads up: the story Jeff tells toward the end might sound familiar––in fact, Sister Dennis used it in conference this year, though we recorded this episode before conference, so we didn't tie it in at the time.Also, there are some really interesting graphs and charts that Jeff mentions that are in the YouTube version of this conversation if you'd like to watch this one instead, or you can search the episode on faithmatters.org and see them there.Listen to the audiobook of The Bible Storybook by Sarah and Josh Sabey in Scripture Stories for Little Saints on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Our donors and paid subscribers make this collaboration possible--thank you for your support!
Send us a Positive Review!Series title: Mormon Faith Crisis—Progression, Not Pathology [Part III of III]In this episode Valerie welcomes back friend and researcher Jeff Strong for the third installment of their series exploring Jeff's research learning about the actual experiences of thousands of Latter-day Saints. The theme that came through? Massive amounts of TENSION. Today they go deeper into six distinct kinds of Latter-day Saints and highlight that one type, "the protector" is disproportionately rewarded while other types are often silenced and squeezed to the margins and sometimes out of the church altogether. They unpack how an ignorance of the true diversity of 21st Century LDS membership is causing crippling harm to families and the church itself and emphasize the power that could come if we all understood and supported one another as a truly open and welcoming 'body of Christ'. Timestamps:01:04 – Understanding Cultural Differences01:57 – Stages of Faith and Identity Segments03:38 – Framework for Understanding Differences08:00 – Setting Up the Segment Discussion09:36 – Overview of the Six Segments14:30 – Personal Examples of Segment Fluidity16:19 – Avoiders and Their Journey18:30 – The Spectrum of Development21:15 – Disaffiliation and Its Complexities22:50 – The Public Narrative vs. Reality24:43 – Conformity and Control in Religious Communities26:33 – Fear vs. Love Orientation28:13 – Focus on Protectors33:40 – The Need for Balance and Integration35:02 – Balancing Different Attributes in Church Culture39:30 – The Dangers of Fear-Driven Leadership41:40 – The Role of Fear and Love in Leadership44:00 – The Impact of Historical Persecution50:00 – Everyday Conflicts and Growth Opportunities53:14 – Final Thoughts on Growth and DevelopmentSupport the showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie's Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
Send us a Positive Review!Series title: Mormon Faith Crisis—Progression, Not Pathology [Part II of III]In today's episode Valerie and guest researcher Jeff Strong explore why people in the same LDS congregation can experience church so differently, depending on where they are in their faith journey. They introduce Jeff's model of six faith mindsets—seekers, cultivators, protectors, avoiders, connectors, and explorers—each representing valid and meaningful ways of engaging faith. The problem? That many of these healthy and normal ways of engaging with one's faith journey are pathologized within the LDS culture at both local and general levels. Valerie and Jeff hope that research like Jeff's and platforms like Latter Day Struggles will place growth where it actually belongs--as normal, natural, and precisely what each of us are here on this earth to do. Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction and Welcome00:22 – Series Overview and Jeff's Background01:18 – Exploring Church Demographics and Tensions02:45 – Review of Previous Episode04:00 – Cultural Causes of Tension05:30 – The Weight of Disaffiliation07:00 – Research Methodology and Data Collection07:58 – Strengths of LDS Culture09:45 – Personal Reflections on Community11:35 – Weaknesses of LDS Culture13:20 – The Soil Metaphor for Culture15:00 – The River Metaphor: Rigidity vs. Chaos17:10 – The Impact of Cultural Rigidity18:45 – The Struggle for Belonging20:09 – Stages of Faith Development22:00 – Simplicity and Complexity Explained23:45 – Perplexity and Harmony Explained25:30 – Faith Journeys and Community Reactions27:00 – The Pain of Being Misunderstood28:22 – Personal Faith Journeys29:47 – The Garden of Eden Metaphor30:47 – Pathologizing Growth in Faith32:00 – The Need for Community Support33:09 – Community and Belonging33:52 – Brian McLaren's Model in Scriptures35:30 – The Arc of Human Spiritual Growth37:25 – Understanding Different Faith Mindsets39:00 – Disparities in Perceptions of Christ-Centeredness40:30 – The Loneliness of Nonconformity42:04 – Introducing the Six Segments44:00 – Descriptions of Each Segment46:00 – The Dynamic Nature of Faith Mindsets47:00 – Encouragement for Self-Reflection48:24 – Conclusion and Next StepsSupport the showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie's Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
Send us a Positive Review!Series title: Mormon Faith Crisis—Progression, Not Pathology [Part I of III] The data is rolling in and Wow…if you want to know what's really on the hearts and minds of many active Latter-day Saints, this 3-part series is a GOLD MINE. Join Val and colleague Jeff Strong, prominent researcher on Mormon faith crisis as they begin to look at some of Jeff's team's large-scale surveys and in-depth interviews that detail how many active members quietly wrestle with internal conflict, misalignment, and a lack of belonging in their current LDS experience . Don't miss this intro to a fascinating series! Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:19 Guest Introduction: Jeff Strong01:00 Jeff's Support and Early Conversations01:37 Jeff's Background and Experience03:00 Clarifying Jeff's Professional and Research Credentials04:26 Research on Disaffiliation06:30 Personal Journey and Insights08:04 The Start of the Research Journey09:45 Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods14:00 The Role of Culture in Missionary Experience16:30 Returning Home and Continuing the Research18:00 The Importance of Data in Understanding Faith Journeys20:00 The Demographic of Faithful Questioners23:30 Data Collection and Analysis25:00 Key Themes: Testimony, Community, and Belonging27:00 The Spectrum of Activity and Belief29:00 Conflict Among Active Members31:00 Exploring Discomfort in Church Culture35:22 Quantifying Discomfort and Belonging36:22 Comfort Levels with Church Culture37:25 Culture vs. Doctrine: A Real Example38:21 Personal vs. Cultural Priorities39:30 Tension in Cultural and Personal Priorities40:35 Navigating Faith Beyond Checklists42:00 Stages of Faith and Cultural Tension43:17 The Impact of Leadership and Tradition45:00 Orthodox vs. General Membership Comfort48:36 The Importance of Awareness and Inclusion51:00 Normalizing Faith Transitions53:00 The Role of Community in Faith Journeys56:36 Concluding Thoughts and Future DiscussionsSupport the showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie's Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
This is a follow-up conversation. Listen to the first episode here. Jeff Strong worked nearly 30 years in the consumer products industry as a senior executive at Procter & Gamble and global president and chief customer officer at Johnson & Johnson. He then taught in the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University and worked as an advisor to the Church before serving as a mission leader in the Arkansas Bentonville Mission. Jeff has since spent several years doing research on why people are leaving the Church. While not a professional researcher, his career involved a large amount of research and the research he shares in this podcast was done with the help of some of the top Latter-day Saint researchers in the world. Today, Jeff lives in Midway, Utah, and stays busy with a little lavender farm, some business consulting, and enjoying family. Links Slides: Tension From Our Differences When Clapping Happens at Church | A How I Lead Interview with Devin Pope Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community Transcript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights Jeff Strong dives deeper into the complexities of faith and community. He explores the idea that while many church leaders may come from a similar mindset, the diversity of perspectives within the congregation is essential for a healthy community. Jeff shares insights from a comprehensive study on disaffiliation and church experiences, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the church culture. He notes that while many members appreciate the community, service, and spiritual growth offered by the church, there are significant concerns about judgment, conformity, and exclusivity that can alienate individuals with differing beliefs or backgrounds. Jeff and Kurt talk about the tension caused by differences, and Jeff illustrates how the natural human response to perceived threats often leads to conformity and exclusion. He discusses the importance of yielding to the Holy Spirit to navigate these tensions, rather than allowing fear to dictate responses. A key part of the episode is the introduction of a segmentation model that categorizes Latter-day Saints into six belief mindsets: Seekers, Cultivators, Protectors, Avoiders, Connectors, and Explorers. Each segment is defined by its unique values and priorities, with Protectors making up a significant portion of church leadership. Jeff and Kurt discuss the implications of this model, emphasizing that a church comprised solely of one segment would lack the richness and diversity necessary for a thriving community. Understanding these different mindsets can help church leaders foster a more inclusive environment that accommodates a broader range of beliefs and experiences. Jeff encourages listeners to embrace the complexities of faith and community, recognizing that the presence of tension can lead to growth and deeper understanding. 00:02:20 - Embracing Differences in Faith Exploring how to reconcile different perspectives within the church community. 00:05:01 - Tension in Church Experience Discussion on the tension between tradition and change in church experiences. 00:08:01 - The Importance of Differences Recognizing that differences among members are natural and beneficial. 00:10:12 - A Story of the Kingfisher and Magpies A metaphorical story illustrating the challenges of being different in a community. 00:11:10 - Strengths of Church Culture Overview of the strengths identified in the church culture based on research. 00:12:42 - Weaknesses of Church Culture Discussion on the weaknesses and challenges faced within the church culture. 00:14:31 - Patterns of Judgment and Conformity Identifying patterns of judgment and conformity that create tension in the community. 00:16:53 - Experiencing Tension in the Church Sharing personal experiences of members feeling tension within the church culture. 00:19:19 - Natural Man vs.
Jeff Strong worked nearly 30 years in the consumer products industry as a senior executive at Procter & Gamble and global president and chief customer officer at Johnson & Johnson. He then taught in the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University and worked as an advisor to the Church before serving as a mission leader in the Arkansas Bentonville Mission. Jeff has since spent several years doing research on why people are leaving the Church. While not a professional researcher, his career involved a large amount of research and the research he shares in this podcast was done with the help of some of the top Latter-day Saint researchers in the world. Today, Jeff lives in Midway, Utah, and stays busy with a little lavender farm, some business consulting, and enjoying family. Links Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community Transcript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights In this conversation, Jeff dives deep into the tension between church culture and personal beliefs, and how embracing it can lead to growth and understanding within our church community. He discusses the findings from a comprehensive survey that aimed to understand disaffiliation and the tensions members experience in their church lives. A key takeaway is the importance of understanding what members love about the Church, revealing the core values that bind members together, despite the tensions they may feel. Jeff talks about the tensions present in church culture, emphasizing the dual facets of this conflict: the tension between tradition and change, and the tension arising from our differences. He explores how members often feel a significant conflict in their church experience, with many expressing discomfort with the culture. Jeff presents data indicating that nearly half of the respondents felt a significant conflict, and more than half did not feel a strong sense of belonging in their congregations. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the importance of recognizing and embracing this tension rather than attempting to eliminate it. 00:02:40 - Purpose of the Survey on Disaffiliation 00:05:12 - Survey Response Insights 00:07:38 - What People Love About the Church 00:10:30 - Core Values of Church Members 00:12:33 - Strengths of the Church 00:13:10 - Tension Between Tradition and Change 00:16:00 - Navigating Cultural Differences 00:19:15 - Understanding Tension in Church Experience 00:22:10 - Data on Comfort and Belonging 00:23:38 - Recognizing Conflict in the Congregation 00:30:02 - Tension Between Personal and Cultural Values 00:35:44 - Embracing Tension in Leadership 00:40:08 - Creating a Safe Space for Tension The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
This week, we're welcoming back our good friend Jeff Strong.Last year, Jeff and his team sent out a survey to the Faith Matters audience as part of a larger research project on faith and church participation. Over 1,600 of you responded, and the results were fascinating! We're excited to share them with you today. What emerged was a picture of a significant and often unheard cross-section of the Church—a community of people who are deeply devoted but also wrestling, holding both conviction and complexity, faith and struggle, all at once.In this conversation, Jeff walks us through some of the most powerful insights from the survey, with a special focus on culture and aspects of our faith experience that are shaping our sense of belonging, meaning, and connection. He explores what people love most about being part of this tradition, where they encounter real challenges.One of the clearest themes in the survey is the tension between tradition and change—a familiar story in faith traditions across the world. Jeff explores what it means to hold that complexity well, in our families, community, and our own hearts. He addresses the power of finding others who are walking a similar path, and why recognizing we're not alone in this wrestle can be so meaningful.I want to mention that there are a few visuals in this conversation that Jeff does a great job describing but you can see the slides he talks about in the YouTube version of this episode. To everyone who participated in the survey, thank you. It has been such a gift to see that none of us is alone here. We're so grateful to be in it with you—asking hard questions, holding onto what we love, and finding our way forward together. And with that, here's our conversation with Jeff Strong.
In this episode of GarageCast, we explore the evolving relationships between marine dealers and manufacturers with Jeff Strong of Strong's Marine and Matt Gruhn, president of the Marine Retailers Association of America. We discuss the importance of honesty and transparency, likened to a strong partnership, and dive into a new scorecard program designed to enhance collaboration, improve customer experiences, and reduce attrition among first-time boat buyers. Despite initial pushback, the scorecards foster accountability and focus on key metrics like dealer agreements, market territories, and service quality. Tune in for insights on driving industry success through partnership and innovation.
In this episode, Lucas Aoun interviews Dr. Jeff Strong about the health benefits of Pycnogenol, a natural plant extract derived from the bark of a unique species of pine tree. Jeff shares his personal journey into health optimization and naturopathic medicine, as well as the history and development of Pycnogenol. They discuss its various applications, including its role in improving cardiovascular health, reducing inflammation, and enhancing athletic performance. They also explore its ability to improve blood flow and regulate blood pressure. The conversation highlights the extensive research conducted on Pycnogenol and its high safety profile. Pycnogenol, a natural extract, has been extensively studied and shown to have various health benefits. It works by stimulating nitric oxide production, protecting nitric oxide from breakdown, and supporting vasodilation. Pycnogenol also has antioxidant properties and supports a healthy immune system. It has been studied in conditions such as the common cold, ADHD, and osteoarthritis, with positive results. The recommended dosage is typically 1 milligram per kilogram of body weight, but higher doses may be used for specific conditions. Pycnogenol has a good safety profile and can be taken continuously or cycled. It is important to choose evidence-based supplements and look for research published in peer-reviewed journals.Buy Pycnogenol Here: https://www.modexnatural.com/Check Out My Website For Coaching, Recommended Products and Much More:https://www.boostyourbiology.com/ Disclaimer:The information provided in this podcast episode is for entertainment purposes and is NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. If you have any questions about your health, contact a medical professional. This content is strictly the opinions of Lucas Aoun and is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. All viewers of this content are advised to consult with their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Lucas Aoun nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this content. All consumers of this content especially taking prescription or over-the-counter medications should consult their physician before beginning any nutritional, supplement or lifestyle program. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, we're excited to share with you another gem from our Restore gathering last year. This is a presentation by Jeff Strong. Now his name may sound familiar to you because Jeff also came on for an incredible episode called “Getting Real About Missionary Work” last year- episode #124, which we highly recommend. That episode is one of Faith Matters' most listened to of all time.But in today's episode, you're going to hear about Jeff's experience as a mission president of the Bentonville, Arkansas Mission where he and his wife led a phenomenally successful pilot program with his missionaries. I'll let Jeff fill in the details — but for us, the story of the Bentonville, Arkansas mission has totally revolutionized the way we imagine missionary work and we can't wait for you to hear about it.There are some really interesting visuals in this presentation you may want to see so you can also go to our YouTube channel to watch the video there.To tell you a little bit about Jeff, in addition to serving as a mission leader with his wife Sara from 2018- 2021 in the Bentonville, Arkansas Mission, Jeff has been a senior level executive at several multinational companies, and has spent almost 3 decades in management. He's also worked as a consultant and private equity advisor and has served as a special project director at BYU's Marriott School of Business, where he led the startup of the Marketing Lab.
Host Dorothy Cociu interviews Jeff Strong, Vice President, Sales, Sterling Administrators on health plan compliance, the good, the bad, and the scary! In this week's episode, Jeff and Dorothy discuss ERISA disclosure requirements, the best tools for and preparing for audits, fiduciary liability, the Prudent Man Rule, Form 5500 filing and auditing, COBRA, ICHRAs, and more compliance information. In addition, we discuss the recent SCOTUS case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health, which took away the constitutional right to an abortion, along with the liability of crossing state lines for abortions, aiding and abetting, and employer use of Travel Benefits for abortion expenses. https://advancedbenefitconsulting.com/s4e3-health-plan-compliance-the-good-the-bad-and-the-scary Show Notes and Valuable References Benefits Executive Roundtable Podcast Show Notes - S4 E3 Supreme Summer Article
For this episode, we spoke with Jeff Strong about the experience of missionaries in today's mission field, including the unique challenges and opportunities they face. This conversation was based largely on a document Jeff wrote, called “What One Mission President Would Tell His Own Grandchildren About Serving a Mission.” Jeff wrote this document after his experience as the mission president of the Bentonville, Arkansas Mission.We found Jeff's reflections on missionary work to be refreshingly candid and deeply insightful. He illuminated how in many ways, our culture can be afraid to share honestly what a mission can be like. It's not “all roses,” as he says — and talking openly about the thorns doesn't have to be a bad thing; not only can we be more honest about the mission experience, but we can honor the difficult parts of it that cause the most growth.Jeff also emphasizes that not every missionary, or every young person, is the same — and that's ok. He shares several experiences that show how God works differently in different lives, including different types of missions and different lengths of service — including the choice not to go, or not to stay.Jeff has worked as a senior level executive at several multinational companies and has spent 28 years in management. He's also worked as a consultant and private equity advisor, in addition to serving as a special project director at BYU's Marriott School of Business, where he led the startup of the Marketing Lab. In 2018, he and his wife Sara were called to the Bentonville, Arkansas mission, where Jeff served as President until 2021.Be 100% Responsible — Lynn G. Robbins TalkJoin us for Restore: A Faith Matters Gathering on October 7-8 in Salt Lake City. Learn more and register here.
The Fall Of Babylon The Great - Jeff Strong - Sun Jul 18, 2021 by Nelson Covenant Church
Revelation Lessons - Jeff Strong - Sun Jul 4, 2021 by Nelson Covenant Church
Hope for Bruised Reeds and Smoldering Wicks - Jeff Strong - Sun Jun 27, 2021 by Nelson Covenant Church
Rehabilitation and Regathering (Mark8:22-26) - Jeff Strong - Sun Jun 20, 2021 by Nelson Covenant Church
Freedom Session Sunday: "It is for Freedom for Christ has set us free." - Jeff Strong - Sun Jun 13, 2021 by Nelson Covenant Church
Come Together: Regathering Well - Jeff Strong - Sun Jun 6, 2021 by Nelson Covenant Church
Revelation 16: The Final Bowl Judgments - Jeff Strong - Sun May 30, 2021 by Nelson Covenant Church
Revelation 15: The Beginning of the End - Jeff Strong - Sun May 23, 2021 by Nelson Covenant Church
Revelation 14: The Victory of the Lamb - Jeff Strong - Sun May 16, 2021 by Nelson Covenant Church
Revelation 14: The Victory of the Lamb - Jeff Strong - Sun May 16, 2021 by Nelson Covenant Church
Revelation 14: The Victory of the Lamb - Jeff Strong - Sun May 16, 2021 by Nelson Covenant Church
Revelation 14: The Victory of the Lamb - Jeff Strong - Sun May 16, 2021 by Nelson Covenant Church
Revelation 14: The Victory of the Lamb - Jeff Strong - Sun May 16, 2021 by Nelson Covenant Church
Revelation 14: The Victory of the Lamb - Jeff Strong - Sun May 16, 2021 by Nelson Covenant Church
Clear Skies Ahead: Conversations about Careers in Meteorology and Beyond
We talk to Jeff Strong, Research Scientist at AIR Worldwide about moving from academia into the private sector, translating high level science to a wide range of stakeholders, and driving across the country for a post-doctoral job at Scripps Institute of Oceanography. Episode transcript Hosted by Rex Horner and Kelly SavoieProduced by Brandon M. CroseEdited by Peter TrepkeTheme music composed and performed by Steve Savoie Visit AMS Career Resources on the web! Contact us at skypodcast@ametsoc.org with any feedback or if you'd like to become a future guest.Copyright © 2021 American Meteorological Society.
Welcome to the Next Level Business Podcast - We created this podcast to help you learn, grow, and get to the next level in your business and life.Today we sit down and chat with Jeff Strong. Jeff is highly successful and just as humble. He shares his real story from success to real struggles to ultimate success. You'll be captivated by his story, insight, and wisdom. ----- Mastermind Website - https://www.nlmastermind.com/---Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nextleveljp/---Youtube - https://bit.ly/YTsubscribeJP---Website - https://www.joshpather.com/---Questions? Text Josh Directly - https://bit.ly/textjoshpather---Resources (aff links) Run Payroll With Gustohttps://gusto.com/r/josh3073 Bookkeeping For Your Business https://bench.grsm.io/joshpather8018 Support the show (https://nlmastermind.com/joinnow)
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